Method and apparatus for tracking one or more plants and/or plant based products and/or tracking the sale of products derived from the same, utilizing RFID technology

ABSTRACT

This invention is for tracking at least one plant. A method of this invention comprises: putting at least one seed or at least one stem in a corresponding at least one pot; positioning a corresponding at least one RFID tag with respect to the seed or stem in a manner, wherein the RFID tag comprises a strap; packaging a harvested material into a packaged product and attaching the RFID tag from the potted plant, or a product RFID tag that is associated with the plurality of tags to the packaged product; confirming a request for authorization by a RFID buy card; and after confirming ID information, transferring at least one product.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a divisional application of co-pending U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/655,325, filed Jul. 20, 2017; which is adivisional of U.S. Ser. No. 14/764,904, filed Jul. 30, 2015, now U.S.Pat. No. 9,959,438; which is the National Stage Application ofInternational Application Number PCT/US2015/035644, filed Jun. 12, 2015;which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.62/011,463, filed Jun. 12, 2014, all of which are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety, including any figures, tables, or drawings.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The tracking of high value products and/or products for which controland/or documenting of the location and/or possession of, such ascontrolled substances, can be expensive. With respect to medical and/orretail marijuana, under current laws and regulations, it can beimportant to track the final product, and it can also be important totrack the plant from planting as a seed or potting as a stem, due to theregulatory laws that involve growing marijuana.

Marijuana plants can be grown from seeds. However, marijuana plants aretypically grown from stems rather than seeds. A seed, or a stem takenfrom a marijuana plant, can be potted, in soil or in water (hydroponicsystem) in order to prompt the stem to produce roots. As the pottedclone grows further, the clone transfers into a vegetative stage. Atthis stage, the potted plant, or potted clone, is then typically movedto another location repotted. This repotting can occur before, during,or after transportation to the new location, and each clone is typicallypotted into a bigger pot. After a period of time of further growth,typically 6-7 weeks, the flowering stage begins. At this time, theplants may again be moved to another location. When the plants havematured further, they are harvested. Harvesting typically occurs whenthe plants reach maximum potential for budding. The harvested materialsfrom multiple plants are then typically gathered and a lot or batch ofthe harvested material, or product, is created, which will be dried andcured together. The dried and cured product is packaged to be sold.

In certain jurisdictions, people are allowed to purchase marijuana onlyafter receiving authorization for such purchase, and/or are only allowedto purchase marijuana in limited quantities and/or within limited orprescribed time periods. Further, a grower and/or supplier may beallowed to grow and/or supply a limited quantity, such as a limited:number of marijuana plants, volume of marijuana, weight of marijuana,retail value of marijuana, and/or other metric with respect to themarijuana being grown and/or supplied. The grower may have an associatedlicense number, or other identifying information. As an example, inColorado, the retail sale of marijuana is currently limited to ¼ oz perday per person for non-residents.

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology is an identificationtechnology that is commonly used to identify, track, and/or trace goods,in order to provide security, manage inventory, facilitate a sale orexchange, and/or improve supply chain efficiencies. Such tracking by theRFID system can be automated, such that, for example, the RFID tag isautomatically read when positioned in a certain geographic location oris attached to an object that is moved. Radio frequency identification(RFID) technology enables automatic identification of unique items byusing radio frequency (RF) signals. A typical RFID system includes atag, a reader, an antenna, and a host system. The reader gathersinformation about an object by communicating through the antenna withthe tag attached to the object. The host system then processes the datacollected by the reader to obtain information related to the taggedobject.

There are generally three different types of Radio FrequencyIdentification (RFID) tags: passive RFID tags, semi-passive RFID tags,and active RFID tags. Passive RFID tags do not contain an on-tag powersource. Passive tags harvest all of the tag's operational energy fromthe RFID reader's communication signal and use this harvested power tosend back a signal with the information on the tag. Semi-passive RFIDtags, which are also called battery assisted (BAP) tags have an on-tagpower source, and also use energy harvested from the reader'scommunication signal. Active RFID tags have an on-tag power source, anduse this on-tag power source to actively generate and transmit anelectromagnetic signal in response to receipt of the RFID reader'ssignal and perform other functions.

Battery-less tags, by virtue of their potentially ultra-low cost andessentially unlimited shelf life, are important components for a broadclass of important RFID applications. When an RFID inventory-trackingscheme requires every case or item within the purview of aninventory-control system to be tagged, which is the typical case forretail-distribution applications battery-less tags are generallypreferred. When long-term storage of tagged items is involved, such asin a physical records archive managed with RFID technology, the finiteshelf-life of batteries is an additional strong motivator for the use ofbattery-less tags.

Poor performance for RFID systems are still frequently experienced whentags are on or near items that contain or comprise materials thatinteract strongly with RF propagation. Such materials include metal,dielectrics and lossy dielectrics that reflect, refract or attenuate RFenergy incident on them or passing through them. Cans, foils, liquids,gels, dense powders, produce, meat and dairy products are just a fewexamples among numerous items that can severely impair the RF couplingbetween a reader and a tag.

Severe attenuation of a signal propagating from an RFID reader to abattery-less RFID tag is particularly problematic. The RFelectromagnetic field strength required to operate a battery-less RFIDtag is significantly higher than that required to communicate to anelectronic receiver having an independent power supply such as abattery. Active electronic circuitry, powered by a battery or otherpower source, can indeed detect, decode and otherwise process extremelyweak signals. A battery-less RFID tag, however, cannot operate suchelectronic circuitry until the tag has extracted sufficient energy fromthe RF electromagnetic field supplied by the reader or another externalsource. The incident RF field level required to provide operating powerfor the electronic circuitry is far greater than that required tocommunicate with already-powered circuits. The frequent difficulty inachieving the necessary incident RF field strength in the presence ofmaterial configurations with adverse RF propagation characteristics,while still satisfying regulatory constraints on radiated RF powerlevels, is an important issue.

Except providing longer read ranges by powering up the RF chip withoutany signal from the interrogator in the case of active tags, the batteryin the tags are commonly used to power up the circuitry of the tags thathas additional features and components such as an extended memory, areal time clock, and/or one or more sensors.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Embodiments of the invention relate to a method and system for trackingone or more plants, plant based raw material, and/or plant basedproducts. Specific embodiments can utilize RFID tags and one or moreRFID readers to track one or more plants, plant based raw material,and/or plant based products. Specific plant based products can includeinfused. Specific embodiments relate to an RFID tag that incorporates astrap or other structure to position an RFID label relative to a plantand/or plant based raw materials. Further embodiments relate to a methodand system for tracking the sale and/or distribution of a product, suchas a plant based product. Further specific embodiments relate to amethod and system utilizing RFID buy cards and to tracking the saleand/or distribution of a product, such as marijuana. Further specificembodiments relate to a system utilizing a plurality of RFID tags andRFID buy cards can track one or more plants from a desired point in theplant's life cycle to the sale and/or distribution of a product from theone or more plants.

In a specific embodiment, each plant potted by a grower can be taggedwith an RFID tag at a desired point in the plant's life cycle, such asat the time of original potting. The plant can then be monitored duringthe growth of the plant, and through the harvesting of the plant, inorder to track how much product, such as marijuana, is produced. Infurther embodiments, RFID buy cards can be utilized to control and/orrecord transactions involving sale and/or distribution of the harvestedmarijuana, to control and/or record one or more of the following metricsrelating to a sale and/or transfer of a product: the date window of thetransaction, the date of the transaction, the time of the transaction,the buyer, the seller, the transferee, the transferer, and the amount ofproduct sold and/or transferred. Embodiments where the purchaser and theseller are recorded can allow the system to match the inventory of thegrower and the purchaser.

Embodiments can use an RFID tag system to tag the plants and an RFIDpurchasing card system, utilizing RFID buy cards, for individuals, torecord the transactions or control the date and/or time and/or amount apurchaser can purchase and/or a seller can seller and/or distribute.Tagging marijuana plants or any other plants with devices incorporatingRFID tags can allow the plant to be tracked throughout the life cycle ofthe plant. Embodiments can utilize a tag design and method that allowthe radio waves, i.e., RF electromagnetic radiation, that carry thesignal to communicate between the reader and the tag in the environmentin which the plant is located, such as in an environment having manyplants closely positioned with respect to each other.

Embodiments of the invention relate to a method and system utilizing anRFID tag that can be utilized in this manner, as well as to an RFID tagthat can be used in this manner. Specific embodiments relate to an RFIDtag that can be utilized at different stages of the plant's life cycleand/or the product cycle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a front view of a strap that can be utilized in accordancewith an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of a strap of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a front view of a strap with multiple locking positions forre-using the strap in different stages of the plant FIG. 4 shows a frontview of an RFID label that can be utilized in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows a printed RFID label.

FIG. 6 shows an assembly of a tag incorporating the strap of FIG. 1 andthe RFID label of FIG. 4, which is assembled in non-hangingconfiguration that can be used for small plants.

FIG. 7 shows an assembly of a tag incorporating a strap with a notch onthe top and the RFID label of FIG. 4, which is assembled in non-hangingconfiguration that can be used for small plants.

FIG. 8 shows the tag of FIG. 6 after transitioning from a non-hanging toa hanging tag, configuration that can be used for bigger plants.

FIG. 9 shows the tag of FIG. 8 in the hanging position of the tag afterthe ends of the strap are coupled together.

FIG. 10 shows the tag of FIG. 6 in the non-hanging position after theends of the strap are coupled together.

FIG. 11 shows two straps, where the end of a first strap is coupled tothe end of a second strap and the other end of the first strap iscoupled to the other end of the second strap.

FIG. 12 shows a schematic of an embodiment of an RFID buy card inaccordance with an embodiment of the subject invention.

FIG. 13 shows a functional block diagram of a system in accordance withan embodiment of the subject invention.

DETAILED DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the invention relate to a method and system for trackingone or more plants and/or plant based raw material. Specific embodimentscan utilize RFID tags and one or more RFID readers to track one or moreplants and/or plant based raw material. Specific embodiments relate toan RFID tag that incorporates a strap or other structure to position anRFID label relative to a plant and/or plant based raw materials. Furtherembodiments relate to a method and system for tracking the sale and/ordistribution of a product, such as a plant based product. Furtherspecific embodiments relate to a method and system utilizing RFID buycards and to tracking the sale and/or distribution of a product, such asmarijuana. Further specific embodiments relate to a system utilizing aplurality of RFID tags and RFID buy cards can track one or more plantsfrom a desired point in the plant's life cycle to the sale and/ordistribution of a product from the one or more plants.

Marijuana plants can be grown from seeds. However, marijuana plants aretypically grown from stems rather than seeds. A seed, or a stem takenfrom a marijuana plant, can be potted, in soil or in water (hydroponicsystem) in order to prompt the stem to produce roots. When a seed isplanted, a sprout from the seed sprouts, or a stem is first plotted intoa small pot, an RFID tag that will provide at least couple of feet readdistance can be difficult to attach on to the stem and may causedifficulties if so attached. It is preferable not to attach the RFID tagto the small pot in which the seed, sprout, or stem is potted in, as thewater and soil content of the small pot will typically affect the readperformance of the tag and may even prevent the tag from being read.Further, even if the tag is attached to an empty portion of the smallpot for the readability, it is not guaranteed that the same small pot iskept with the plant when it is transferred and/or repotted, such as to abigger pot. Moreover, it is preferred to attach the RFID tag onto theplant itself when the clones are proven that they are viable and reachvegetative stage.

Embodiments of the invention position an RFID tag with respect to a seedor stem (clone), such as after potting the seed or stem in a pot withsoil or water, in a manner that the RFID tags is associated with theseed or stem. The RFID tag can be positioned with respect to the seed orstem by attaching the RFID tag to the pot of each seed or stem,inserting the RFID tag into the soil or water in which the seed or stemis potted and standing the tag up, or laying the RFID tag on the soil orpot, upon initial potting, or at a later time in the plant life cycle,such as upon repotting.

As the potted seed or stem (clone) grows further, the seed sprouts orthe stem (clone) that is matured transfers into a vegetative stage. Atthis stage, the potted plant is then typically moved to another locationand repotted. This repotting can occur before, during, or aftertransportation to the new location, and each plant is typically pottedinto a bigger pot. If already tagged when a sprout came up from seed orwhen the stem was originally potted, the RFID tag can be moved alongwith the plant. If not already tagged, the plant can be tagged at thistime.

After a period of time of further growth, typically 6-7 weeks, theflowering stage begins. At this time, the plant may again be moved toanother location. Again, if already tagged, the RFID tag can remain withthe plant. If not already tagged, the plant can be tagged at this time.When the plant has matured further, it is harvested. Multiple seeds orstems can be potted at the same time, and subsequently moved andrepotted at the same time. Harvesting typically occurs when the plantsreach maximum potential for budding. The harvested materials frommultiple plants are then typically gathered and a lot or batch of theharvested material, or product, is created, which will be dried andcured together. At this stage, the RFID tags of the plants can becollected and kept with the harvested material, or product, until thedried and cured product is packaged to be sold. Based on the size of thepackaged product, one or more of the tags is attached to the product ora different tag that is traceable (associated with) to the original tagis created and attached to the packaged product.

Embodiments of the invention can utilize a strap 10 and an RFID label 20to form an RFID tag 30, wherein the strap can be used for attachment tothe plant, the plant's pot, and/or other structures and the RFID labelcan be read by the RFID reader. Specific embodiments use a printed RFIDlabel that is waterproof, and has chemical and UV resistance. In anembodiment, the RFID tag 30 is configured such that the RFID tag 30 canbe inserted into the small pot, such as inserted into the soil in thesmall pot, or placed in the water the stem is potted in. In a furtherembodiment, the RFID tag can incorporate a built in clip or otherattachment mechanism for clipping or otherwise engaging the small pot,or a separate clip can be used. In various embodiments, the pot and RFIDtag can be configured such that the RFID tag interconnects with the potin either a releasable manner, or in a manner that requires a specialtool to separate the RFID tag from the pot, in a manner that requiresseparating a portion of the RFID tag (e.g., having the RFID label from aportion of the RFID tag interconnected with the pot), or requiresseparating a portion of the pot to which the RFID tag is interconnectedfrom the remaining portion of the pot.

In specific embodiments, data stored on the RFID tag can be updated toreflect the RFID tag has been disconnected from the pot, and if desired,updated to reflect the plant has been repotted. The RFID tag can also beconfigured such that, at least in one configuration, the tag can beplaced on top of the soil (e.g., around the sprout or stem), or wrappedaround a portion of the small pot, when the plant is small and can beremoved from the small pot and attached to the plant once the plant isbigger and viable (e.g., upon repotting). The RFID tag is preferablyattached to one of the main branches when the plant is big enough tocarry the weight of the RFID tag. In an embodiment a reusable strap canbe used if the regulatory agency allows the grower to remove the tag andre-attach it to another branch. When the plant grows, the branches atthe bottom are usually trimmed for it to grow better. If the RFID tag isattached to a branch that needs to be trimmed, the same RFID label needsto be re-attached to another location. The embodiment can have a strapdesign that has a releasable lock or have a limited number of lockingpositions that allow the grower to re-use the same strap. FIG. 1illustrates a front view of a strap 10 that can be incorporated in anRFID tag 30 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Theembodiment of the strap 10 in FIG. 1 has a tooth 1 and a passage 2,where the tooth 1 can be inserted into the passage 2 to create a tamperproof locking position, which, once in the locking position, preventsthe tooth 1 from being removed from passage 2 and the strap or RFID tagincorporating the strap from being reused. In another embodiment, therecan be several locking steps as in FIG. 3, such as teeth or knots 6, andonce a step is latched into the lock 7, the strap cannot be opened againwithout damaging the strap. In this design the user needs to cut theknot to release the lock and re-use the strap based on the number ofknots. This type of nonreleasable strap designs can improve securityalong with the security of the RFID label with its unique EPC number, asin order to separate the RFID tag from the plant it is often necessaryto break or damage the strap or damage the plant. It allows theregulatory agency to track the number of straps that have been orderedand the number of plants that have been grown. In alternativeembodiments, a strap having a releasable locking mechanism, such as atooth and a passage having a release mechanism, which allows release ofthe tooth from the passage after the tooth is locked in the passage, canbe used. In further embodiments, the strap can be such that a specialtool is required to decouple the ends of the strap once coupled, such asreleasing tooth 1 from passage 2, in order to allow release withoutdamage and then allow reuse of the strap. Specific embodiments can havetwo passages 2, where one passage 2 is releasable and the second isnonreleasable, or a single passage 2 where pushing the tooth to a firstposition creates a releasable coupling and pushing the tooth 1 to asecond position creates a locked position. In a specific embodiment, awasher or other structure can be placed on tooth 1 and 6 to prevent theuser from pushing the tooth to the second position until the washer isremoved. In a specific embodiment latch 7 can have an open end where atooth 6 can pass through completely.

The strap may also have, but need not have, a flap 3 that informationcan be printed or written and displayed, such as a logo, a serialnumber, or other information for visual authentication. In specificembodiments, information can be written on the elongated body 4, orother portion, of the strap. The strap shown in FIG. 1 has such a flap3.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the strap 10 of FIG. 1. The thickness of thestrap 5, as shown in FIG. 2, is such that when the strap has an RFIDlabel 20 in accordance with an embodiment of the inventioninterconnected with the strap to form an RFID tag 30, and the RFID tag30 combination is inserted into a pot, such as into the soil in the pot,or clipped or otherwise attached to the pot, the strap carries theweight of the RFID label and the strap itself, so that the RFID tag willstill stand upright. The thickness of the strap shown in FIG. 2 is 0.06″and the length of the strap is 8″, while the width of the elongated bodyof the strap is 0.19″, as shown in FIG. 1. In an alternative embodiment,the thickness of the strap in FIG. 2 is 0.050″. The thickness can be inthe range 0.05″-0.070″, with a length in the range 7.5″-8.5″ or7.0″-9.0″. The strap 10 of FIG. 1 can be made of polypropylene (PP). Thewidth of the tag at the proximal end with the receiving portion, orpassage 2, that receives the inserting portion, or tooth 1, on thedistal end is 0.520″.

Embodiments of the invention relate to a system that incorporates anRFID label 20 that incorporate a label body that has an RFID inlay. TheRFID inlay can have an RFID circuit chip, an RFID antenna, or acombination thereof. In one embodiment, the RFID label has one surfaceon which information such as, for example, bar codes, text, graphics, orcombinations thereof can be printed. In specific embodiments, the RFIDlabel body has one or more of the following layers: a layer with asurface for printing on, a layer that contains the RFID inlay, a layerthat covers the RFID inlay, and an adhesive layer. Any number of layershaving various thicknesses can be used for various purposes inembodiments of the subject RFID label.

The RFID label body can also be resistant to environmental conditions.For example, the RFID label body can be made of one or more media thatare weather resistant. For some purposes it may be beneficial to utilizea media that is cold resistant or heat resistant. When utilized withplants, as described herein, it can advantageous for the label bodymedia to be at least resistant to water and UV. Resistance to chemicals,fertilizers, or other substances often used around or on plants can alsobe helpful.

An RFID printer can be used to label and or encode an RFID label inaccordance with embodiments of the invention. An RFID printer that hasan encoder therein can be used to write data to the inlay, using radiofrequency transmission technology that is directed towards the inlay.Printing information on the RFID label and encoding of the RFID inlaycan be done in a single pass of the media through the printer, or can bedone by the media being processed through the RFID printer more thanonce. In one embodiment, RFID labels are separated and passed through aRFID printer individually. In an alternative embodiment, RFID labels areformed as continuous roll of attached RFID labels that are feedcontinuously through the RFID printer.

FIG. 4 shows a RFID label 20 in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention, which can be a printed RFID label. The RFID label 20 has anRFID inlay 8, where the RFID inlay 8 can be encapsulated inside aprotective material, printed directly to a resistant material andadhered to one side of the label, or otherwise attached to a label bodyof the RFID label. The RFID label shown in FIG. 4 has 2 openings 9,proximate the ends of the RFID label, which allow the strap to passthrough. The sites for the holes 9 can be perforated 12, instead ofpunctured completely, allowing a user to open the hole when, and if,desired. In specific embodiments, the holes 9 can be located indifferent locations on the RFID label, such as both on the same end ofthe RFID label, one or both alongside the RFID inlay 8; there can be asingle hole 9 or more than two holes; the hole can have cross-sectionalshapes other than circular, and/or have a size as compared to thecross-sectional area of the strap such as a cross-sectional shape thatinteracts with the cross-sectional shape of the strap so as to preventrotation of the RFID label with respect to the strap or limit suchrotation to a certain angular amount (e.g., 30°, 45°, 60°, 90°, orhigher); prevents or limits axial travel along the strap once positionedin a desired axial position on the strap. Although holes 9 areincorporated in the embodiment shown in the FIGS., other structures canbe used. Embodiments can incorporate a mechanism attached to the RFIDlabel that interconnects with a portion of the strap such that the RFIDlabel cannot not be separated from the strap when (i) the ends of thestrap are nonreleasably coupled, or locked, together, (or which take aspecial tool to be separated from each other), or (ii) irrespective ofwhether the ends of the strap are coupled together.

The label 20 can be thin enough to be printed with a regular RFIDprinter. The strap can then have a certain rigidness, or stiffness,which allows the RFID tag 30 to stand alone when it is inserted into asmall pot.

Along with an RFID inlay 8, the label portion 20 can have a logo,barcodes, such as barcodes for plant identification, and/or otherdesired information 11. The RFID label 20, as shown in FIG. 5, can alsohave grower and tag ID for visual identification.

An Electronic Product Code (EPC) is a universal identifier that givesidentity to a specific physical object. The use of EPC's in the typicalmanner enables every product in the world to be distinguished from everyother product. An EPC has a data structure (memory) for storinginformation, such as a header, an EPC manager number, an object class,and a serial number. Embodiments of an RFID tag, or a transponder, canuse such memory in the RFID tag to store information other than just theidentity of the product (e.g., worldwide product identification). Inspecific embodiments, the memory of the RFID tag can be used to storeinformation specific to the production of the packaged product, whatagency authorized production, and other information. Thus, thetransponder can use EPC number or serial number memory space to storeand provide information which can be coded as values (e.g., values ofthe tag), instead of storing a typical EPC or serial number. Informationthat can be stored in the memory of the RFID tag includes, but is notlimited to, a header, an install ID, a tag version, a license no., aserial no., a product ID, the battery life, the memory status, and/orstatus of the RFID tag, such as whether the RFID tag is running,stopped, or non-configured. This information can then be collected by,for example, an RFID reader by reading the RFID tag. Using the memory ofthe RFID tag to store and provide such information can enable the userto obtain key information regarding one or more products associated withthe RFID tag by scanning the RFID tag with any RFID reader, without anyfurther interrogation. As the status of the various properties beingmonitored change, the values corresponding to the updated status changeand the RFID tag can update such values stored in the data field(memory) for storing the values corresponding to the status, such as thedata field (memory) of the RFID tag used for storing a serial number ofthe product, such that the updated data in such data field (memory)represents the updated status of the product(s), or updated status ofthe card holder's purchasing quota remaining. In an embodiment that usesthe data field (memory designed to store a product's serial number tostore values representing the status of some property related to theproduct(s)), the RFID tag's TID (the RFID tag's manufacturing ID), or aportion of the serial number such as UID, can still be used to identifythe unique RFID tag. In a specific embodiment, the unique RFID tag isone RFID tag of a set of RFID tags, where the set of RFID tags is asubset of all RFID tags worldwide.

FIG. 5 illustrates a label having the following dynamic data elements onit:

-   -   Tag TID value: ABF-001-CD0-279    -   OPC Name: Colorado High Relief    -   OPC License #: 402-19992    -   Order Date for tag: 2013-315-9999 (Year—Day of year—Day batch        number)    -   Tag EPC (Electronic Product Code): aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa01234567

In a specific embodiment the EPC format of the tag can be in the formatof 24 hex characters FFF FF FF FFFFFFF FFFFFFFFFF where each F isdescribed as in the following sequence:

Header:

-   -   Description: Tag identifier—allows applications to filter        certain tags, such as Metre tags, immediately    -   Size: 3 hex characters    -   Maximum Value: FFF    -   Fixed Value: 1A4        Install ID:    -   Description: Identifies entity that generated the EPC, such as        the individual Metric installations, e.g., a first entity can be        install ID 0    -   Size: 2 hex characters    -   Maximum Value: FF    -   Value: Starts at 0, and is determined based on the entity that        generated the EPC number, such as the individual Metre        installation that generated the EPC number        Note: The following fields are implemented for a specific        embodiment, INVSTALLID 0. Additional implementations may use the        same exact format, or may have different requirements.        Tag Version:    -   Description: Unique version number defining the rest of the EPC        format. The version number is specific to the Install ID and        represents the product type as well, i.e. Plant, Package, etc.    -   Size: 2 hex character    -   Maximum Value: FF    -   Value: Starts at 0, and is determined based on the individual        entity that generated the EPC number, such as the Metric        installation that generated the EPC number    -   The tag version element also defines the Product Type of the        label.

Examples of tag versions are as follows:

Serial Product Number Version Represented Active Type Notes 0 MedicalPlant False Hexa- Switched to version 4 to decimal use decimal serialnumber 1 Medical False Hexa- Switched to version 5 to Package decimaluse decimal serial number 2 Retail Plant True Decimal 3 Retail PackageTrue Decimal 4 Medical Plant True Decimal 5 Medical True Decimal PackageLicense No.:

-   -   Description: Facility license number, encoded as hex—for example        the ID 0 entity can have facility license numbers that are        numeric for medical plant licenses and contain a single R for        retail plant licenses. For Tag Versions 2 and 3, representing        Retail Product Types, the encoder creates the hexadecimal        version of the license number without the “R”. During decoding        of the license number for Tag Versions 2 and 3, the “R” is        inserted in the proper position in the decoded license number        string.    -   Size: 7 hex characters    -   Maximum Value: FFFFFFF    -   Value: the license number of the facility where the Plant or the        Product (item) was created        Serial No.:    -   Description: Number making combined epc number globally unique    -   Size: 10 hex characters    -   Maximum Value: FFFFFFFFFF        Value: Starts at 0 per tag version

Along with a serial or EPC number, a TID (Though Transponder ID) canalso be encoded with a unique serial number for the authenticity of theRFID label. The TID is a read-only number written to the RFID microchipby the chip manufacturer. A counterfeiter could copy the EPC number toanother tag, but not the TID number. For the visual authenticityinspection, the RFID labels can have security features such as hologramsor threads embedded to the RFID label. Both the strap color and the RFIDlabel color can also be changed periodically. These security featurescan give more control over the RFID tags to the regulatory agent, inorder to reduce the likelihood of counterfeiting.

In specific embodiments, the RFID inlay can incorporate extended memory,which can store information. This storage can be used to storeinformation such as one or more of the following: when the seed or stemwas potted, moved, repotted, harvested, inspected, weight of plant,weight of harvest, dates of event, and other events that are relevant totracking the life cycle of the plant. The RFID inlay can be configuredso that only specific RFID readers (writers) can write to, or update theinformation stored in, the extended memory, or the extended memory canbe such that further information can be added, but no information can bedeleted.

In specific embodiments, the RFID inlay can have an extended EPC number,such that certain portions of the EPC field can be used to store codedinformation. Information read from the RFID inlay can then be inputtedinto a computer system and used for tracking the plant from seed orstem, or other point in the life cycle, through harvest, or other pointin the life cycle, such as through sale and/or distribution.

FIG. 6 illustrates an assembled RFID tag 30 in a configuration that canbe used for tagging the small plants by inserting the strap 10 into thesoil, or water, in the small pot. Specific embodiments can incorporateone or more extra features that can guide the user during assembly of,and/or use of, the RFID tag 30. An embodiment can incorporate a mark 13on the upper side of the strap that may be used to indicate the locationof the top of the label portion 20 with respect to the strap onceassembled. The end of the label portion 20 can be aligned with this line13 as shown in FIG. 6 to help prevent the label portion 20 fromtouching. Similarly notch 14 can be added to the strap to prevent thetag from sliding down the strap once assembled and the opening 9 isabove the notch 14. Based on the tag performance the distance betweenthe label portion 20 and the soil/water can be adjusted since every tagwill be affected differently from the absorption of the RF waves by thesolid/water in the pot. The size of the small pot, length of the labelportion, location of notch 14, and length of strap can be adjusted sothat the label portion does not contact the dirt/moisture even if thetooth of the strap hits the bottom of the pot. The notch 16 can also belocated on the upper side of the strap as in FIG. 7.

In a specific embodiment, the mark 13, located near the proximal end ofthe strap, can be modified to have a raised portion that prevents theRFID label from sliding axially back toward the distal end of the straponce the RFID label is positioned proximal to modified mark 13, orrequires the RFID label be rotated about a longitudinal axis of thestrap and/or rotated about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinalaxis of the strap to be moved axially toward the distal end of the strapto a position distal to the mark 13. In such an embodiment insertion ofthe strap through single hole 9 can be sufficient. The distal end of theRFID label can then be inserted into a slot on the strap, or another tointerconnect the distal end of the RFID label to the strap, to hold theRFID in position.

The strap can also have a weakened spot 15 at the body close to theteeth area for the strap to be cut easily when the user is ready toremove the tag from the plant.

FIG. 8 shows the tag of FIG. 6 after one end 17 of the RFID label 20 hasbeen freed from interconnection with the strap 10. The configuration ofthe RFID tag 30 in FIG. 8 can be referred to as a hang tagconfiguration. The hang tag configuration is useful for plants that arebigger, as one end of the RFID label can be interconnected with thestrap and the strap wrapped around one of the main branches of a plantas shown in the FIG. 9 (plant not shown). It is preferred to hang theRFID tag 30 on a branch that will not be trimmed or use a strap designas in FIG. 3 so that the RFID tag will stay on the plant throughout itslife cycle. Releasing one end of the RFID label 20 enables the RFIDlabel to be straight, and tending to vertical, when the tag 30 isattached to a branch of the plant. In an embodiment, the hole 9 on thelabel portion and the cross-sectional shape of the portion of the strapbody 4 that the hole 9 will be in contact with, are configured such thatthe RFID label 20 tends to settle into an orientation that issubstantially vertical as there is not sufficient friction between thehole 9 and the strap body to prevent the label portion from rotating,due to the weight of the RFID label. In a specific embodiment, hole 9 iscircular, such that the label will rotate freely and tend to orientperpendicular to the ground 18. In this way, the RFID label beingoriented in a predictable direction will increase the read performanceof the RFID tag. In this way, the hanging position of the strap, whenthe RFID tag is in the hang tag configuration, tends not to affect theread performance of the RFID tag.

In specific embodiments, the RFID label can be interconnected with thestrap such that when the RFID tag is attached to plant the RFID labelmaintains its position relative to the strap, as shown in FIG. 10. Theposition shown in FIG. 10, which results in a bending of the RFID label20, can be used if the RFID inlay is not affected by bending or thedegradation of the read performance is not a concern. In an embodiment,the notch 14, or other structure, or the strap can limit the rotationalorientation of the RFID label relative to the strap body. The rotationalorientation of the RFID label in FIG. 6 is rotated 180 degrees comparedto the rotational orientation of the RFID label with respect to thestrap body in FIG. 10. The notch 14, and/or other structure on thestrap, can orientate the label rotationally and/or axially with respectto the strap body, and the orientation of the tooth 1 and secure lock 2can be such that when tooth 1 is locked into passage 2, the RFID labelis fairly flat. As an example, the rotational orientation of the RFIDlabel with respect to the strap shown in FIG. 10 can be maintained bythe notch 14 and/or other structure on the strap and the strap body canbe configured such that when the tooth is inserted into the passage,then the strap body passes through the holes 9 at angles that allow theRFID label to remain flat, or with the RFID inlay having a radius ofcurvature large enough that the read performance of the RFID tag issatisfactory.

If the circumference of the plant branch is bigger, or is expected toeventually be bigger, than the strap circumference when the ends of thestrap are coupled, two or more straps 19 and 21 can be attached togetherwhen hanging the RFID tag, as shown in FIG. 11.

When the plant is big enough that a branch can hold the weight of theRFID tag 30, the tag can be hung with one end of the strap taken outfrom the RFID label and the strap wrapped around the main stem justabove the first branch that will not be trimmed or around the firstbranch if grower lets the plants get bigger than usual.

Embodiments of the invention relate to an RFID buy card system andmethod that can control and/or record sales and/or transfers of theproduct. Such control and/or recording can facilitate the matching ofthe amount of product sold and/or distributed with the plants grown. Inan embodiment, the sale and transfer the transactions can be tracked.However, to prove that each transaction is legitimate and falls underthe regulated amounts authorized to a person, within an authorizedtimeframe the transactions can be individualized such that the personreceiving the product and the person transferring the product arerecorded.

In specific embodiments, an RFID buy card can be provided to a personthat is authorized to purchase or obtain product, within someconstraints such as quantity, time periods, value, and/or other metrics.These RFID buy cards can be assigned to a person using identificationsrelating to the person, such as finger print, legal ID card, iris scan,or any other identification matrix or a biometric data. The use of theRFID buy card can then help the person maintain privacy of certainpersonal information. The RFID buy card can be for one time use, limitedas to the total amount that can be purchased or obtained, and the personcan then discard the RFID buy card after the transfer, or the RFID buycard updated to allow further purchases and/or transfers. In anembodiment, the RFID buy card is treated as a permanent card that can be“replenished” as the allowed time frame(s) pass, or the systemautomatically recognizes the account with a right to buy again. Thetransactions can either be kept on the card or on a common softwareplatform that can be used for tracking sales, and/or tracking the lifecycle of the plant through the sale and/or distribution, or any portionsthereof.

FIG. 12 illustrates a block diagram of a specific embodiment of a RFIDbuy card. Embodiments of the invention may contain additional elementsnot shown here, may not include all of the elements here presented, orthe elements shown may be differently arranged. In a standalone carddesign that doesn't require any host system to track the right to buy,the card A battery assisted RFID buy card design can be used. The cardcan incorporate extended memory, which can store information. Thisstorage can be used to store information such as one or more of thefollowing: time windows during which purchases can be made, amount(s) ofproduct that can be purchased, an identification (any identificationmatrix and/or biometric data) of a person or persons that can purchase,type of product that can be purchased, prior purchases (e.g. dates,times, locations, vendors, quantity, and/or type of product), and/orother information relevant to tracking sales and distributions of theproduct. The identification of the person can either be entered to thecard at the time of purchasing the card itself or in a more complex carddesign a biometric data such as a finger print can be scanned on thecard and the user can re-scan his/her finger print to activate the cardor the seller can require the buyer to scan his/her finger print at thestore's scanner. The card can also display the amount that can bepurchased within a certain time-frame. The display can be activated viaa button for power saving purposes. The user can also set up a passwordto unlock the card for purchasing and enter the password on the cardprior to the transaction. The display can also be used to show theconfirmation of the activation or the password entrance.

In specific embodiments, a passive RFID buy card can be used. It canhave an EPC number tied to a person through common software and/or anextended EPC number, such that certain portions of the EPC field can beused to store coded information. The EPC read from the RFID buy card canthen be inputted into a computer system and used for tracking salesand/or distributions, and tracking product authorized to be purchased byperson(s) and whether such product is purchased.

In specific embodiments, the RFID buy card can be configured so thatonly specific RFID readers (writers) can write to, or update theinformation stored in, the extended memory, or the extended memory canbe such that further information can be added, but no information can bedeleted.

Embodiments can utilize RFID buy cards and RFID readers, such that onlysuch RFID readers can read the RFID buy cards or portion of theinformation stored on the cards. Specific embodiments can allow the RFIDreaders to update or add information to the RFID buy cards.

In an embodiment, an authorized vendor would read the RFID buy card of aperson, submit the date read from the RFID buy card to a designatedapproved entity (e.g., a computer system) and receive approval totransfer the product to the person or not receive such approval. Theapproval can be, for example, for a requested transfer, for a transferhaving certain metrics (e.g., size, time window, type of product, etc.),or other. The vendor can submit the request for approval via theinternet, telephone, email, text message, or other mode ofcommunication. In specific embodiments, vendors can receiveauthorization by reading the RFID buy card presented by a person with anRFID reader, such as an authorized RFID reader having the hardwareand/or software needed to read the RFID buy card and proceed with anauthorized sale and/or distribution if the information read from thecard includes information required for the vendor to proceed, such as anindication of amount and time window of purchases and/or distributionauthorized. Specific embodiments can then update the information storedon the RFID buy card to indicate an updated amount of product stillauthorized to be purchased and/or distributed, and, optionally, otherinformation, e.g., relating to the sale.

In an embodiment, the RFID buy card can be purchased from a vendingmachine where the machine approve the user to buy the card and it canconfigure the buy card or write to it some necessary information such asthe identification of the user. the date which can also be used as areal time clock set point in a battery assisted tag, the amount that theuser is allowed, and etc.

In an embodiment, the RFID buy card can be used for purchasing a productfrom a vending machine.

Embodiments of the invention pertain to the use of a method and systemusing an RFID antenna array, an array controller, and controlalgorithms. Specific embodiments can incorporate an RFID antenna arrayand system as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 8,593,283, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety. Embodiments of the inventioncan induce strong radio-frequency (RF) excitation, for a given level ofradiated RF power, at any point within an arbitrary inhomogeneousmedium, such as an environment having multiple plants in a region ofinterest, and/or a warehouse environment having stored goods togetherwith shelving and other material present. An embodiment of the inventionis applicable to the process of reading battery-less, or “passive” RFIDtags, which rely on incident RF electromagnetic fields established byRFID readers to power the electronic circuitry within the tags.

In one aspect of an embodiment of the subject invention, a wearable RFIDsystem is provided, including an antenna, an RFID reader, a host system,and a holder for holding at least the antenna and the reader. Inspecific embodiments, the wearable RFID system also incorporates atransmitting antenna or interrogator in the holder, for production of aninterrogation RF signal that creates a response RF signal upon incidenceon a RFID tag or transponder. The RFID reader can drive the transmittingantenna or a separate transmitter can be provided. In a specificembodiment, one antenna acts as both the transmitting antenna and thereceiving antenna. In alternative embodiments, the transmitting antennacan be separate from the holder, and/or not attached to the wearer ofthe holder. Similarly, the host system can be located on the holder,worn elsewhere on the user, or located remotely from the user, in whichcase the RFID reader communicates remotely with the host system. In anembodiment, the RFID reader incorporates at least part of the hostsystem. The antenna receives RF signals from one or more RFID tags. Thereader collects the signals from the antenna and the host system processthese signals to retrieve information about the RFID tag.

In another aspect of an embodiment of the subject invention, a method ofusing the system to identify objects with attached RFID tags is alsoprovided in which the holder is worn by a worker while the worker movesobjects, such as potted plants, from one place to another or interactswith it, such as budding, trimming, and etc. When the holder handles theobject with an attached RFID tag, the RFID reader scans signals from theobject's RFID tag received by the antenna. The scanning can beginautomatically or can be triggered by an input from, for example, theuser and/or a sensor. When a RE signal is received by the antenna, theRFID reader collects the signal and transmits it to the host system asdescribed above. The host system then processes the signal to obtaininformation about the RFID tag. In a specific embodiment, no additionalor specific action by the worker is required to initiate interrogationand scanning. Therefore, the worker is able to handle the objectsnormally without any extraneous movement or time. In fact, in someembodiments of the invention, the worker may not even know that theholder the worker is wearing incorporates an RFID system.

In further embodiments, the RFID system incorporates otheridentification apparatus, such as a barcode scanner, to corroborate theradio frequency identification of handled items. Specific embodimentscan incorporate a wearer RFID reader and system as taught in U.S. Pat.No. 8,674,810, which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

A typical RFID system includes a tag, a reader, an antenna, and a hostsystem. The reader gathers information about an object by communicatingthrough the antenna with the tag attached to the object and the hostsystem processes the data collected by the reader. The host system canbe housed on the reader or the reader can communicate information to thehost system for additional processing.

RFID tags include a memory which typically stores data related to theobject. The data stored varies in different applications. For example,in simple applications the data stored may be a single bit indicatingthe existence of the object. In other applications, a serial or otheridentification number related to the tag or a tagged object may bestored. In further applications, environmental data may be stored on thetag such as the lowest temperature, highest humidity, or vibrations towhich the object was exposed. The data stored on the tag can be read andsometimes written to via an RF antenna. Embodiments of the subjectinvention can work with any number RFID tags that are well known in theart.

Typically, an interrogation RF signal is transmitted to begincommunication with an RFID tag. The interrogation RF signal causes thetag to become “excited” when the interrogation RF signal is incident onthe tag and the interrogation signal's electromagnetic field, magneticfield, or both excites the tag. The tag then produces a response RFsignal that encodes data stored on the tag. The response RF signal maybe received by the same RF antenna that transmitted the interrogation RFsignal or by a different receiving RF antenna. Regardless, an RFIDreader collects the response RF signal from the receiving antenna andtransmits the signal to a host system that decodes the signal to obtaininformation about the tag. Different software can then be utilized bythe host system to operate different applications. For example, RFID canbe used to facilitate identification, authentication, sorting,product/case put away, tracking, inventory management, supply chainmanagement, pricing, quality control (via processing, for example,temperature or humidity data on the tag), and acceptance/declining ofthe received or shipped products, among other applications. The examplesprovided herein are merely illustrative. Other applications of RFID arewell known in the art and can be used with the subject invention.

FIG. 13 shows a functional block diagram of a system 101 in accordancewith an embodiment of the subject invention. This figure merely depictsone example of such a system. Embodiments of the invention may containadditional elements not shown here, may not include all of the elementshere presented, or the elements shown may be differently arranged.

In one embodiment of the subject invention, an RFID reader 103 receivesa response signal form a receiving antenna 105 and merely transmits thatsignal on to a host system 107 for further processing. The host system107 can be housed with the reader 103 or the signal or informationrelated to the signal can be communicated by the reader 103 to the hostsystem 107 for further processing.

In another embodiment of the subject invention, the RFID reader 103 isresponsible for driving transmitting and receiving antennas. Thetransmitting antenna can be used to send interrogation signals as iswell known in the art. In some embodiments, the transmitting andreceiving antennas are one in the same. In FIG. 13, both antennas arerepresented by the antenna 105. In a further embodiment, the antenna 105may be driven by the reader 103 to write information to an RFID tagand/or an RFID buy card. In an embodiment, the host system itself or acomponent of the host system, such as an antenna driving module or anRFID reader, can be used to drive the antennas.

In another embodiment, a plurality of antennas can be used. In anembodiment, a first antenna of the plurality is a transmitting antenna,and a second antenna of the plurality is a receiving antenna. In anembodiment, the first antenna can also operate as a receiving antenna.In an embodiment, the second antenna can also operate as a transmittingantenna. In an embodiment both antennas are mono-static used for bothtransmitting and receiving. In an embodiment, the second antenna isremoveably connected to the system 101 such that the system can be usedwith or without the second antenna. In an embodiment, the first andsecond antennas are each positioned or otherwise configured tointerrogate and/or receive RF signals from different RFID tags. Thus,the first antenna is configured to interrogate and/or receive RF signalsfrom a first type of RFID tags, such as RFID tags positioned withrespect to plants, and the second antenna is configured to interrogateand/or receive REF signals from a second type of RFID tags, such as RFIDbuy cards. In an embodiment, the first antenna can be configured tointerrogate and/or receive RF signals from RFID tags attached to plantshandled by the user, while the second antenna can be configured tointerrogate and/or receive RF signals from RFID tags positioned atlocations, in the facilities where the tagged plants are housed, passedby the user, or vice versa. In another embodiment, using the first andsecond antennas for RFID tags on plants and RFID tags at locations inthe facility where the plants are housed, a third antenna can beconfigured to interrogate and/or receive RF signals from RFID buy cardspresented by persons requesting to purchase and/or receive product.

In yet another embodiment of the subject invention, the host system 107decodes response RF signals to obtain information about RFID tags and/orRFID buy cards, the plants or locations the RFID tags are attached to,the person presenting the RFID buy card or both. For example, the hostsystem 107 may decode a response RF signal from an RFID tag to obtaindata stored on the tag such as a serial number corresponding to a plantor product that the RFID tag is attached to, or other data stored on thetag, or other data useful in various RFID applications.

In a further embodiment of the subject invention, the host system 107also encodes RF signals used to write data to RFID tags and/or RFID buycards. The RFID reader 103 can then drive the antenna 105 to write suchsignals to RFID tags and/or RFID buy cards. The RFID reader (writer) maystore information on a RFID tag such as when planted, where located atvarious sizes, when harvested, and/or other information. Thisinformation can later be retrieved from the tag as described above andknown in the art. For example, the system 101 can be used to read a Gen2RFID tag and/or RFID buy card and, according to an authorizationprotocol, the host system 107 can then output a message to a user thatauthorization is granted or not granted. In an embodiment, the hostsystem itself or a component of the host system, such as an antennadriving module or an RFID reader, can be used to drive the antennas.

In further embodiments, the host system 107 performs more complexinformation processing. The host system 107 may comprise a database orother memory for storing data related to tagged plants, personpresenting the RFID buy card or processing parameters. For example, aserial number obtained from an RFID tag or RFID buy card may be lookedup in a database to obtain the particulars of a tagged product or otherstored information about the product and/or particulars regarding typeof sale and/or receipt of product authorized. Or information from theRFID tag and/or RFID buy card may be stored in the host system's memoryfor further use. As will be obvious to one skilled in the art, such amemory may be incorporated into the host system 107 or may be accessiblevia a network.

In an embodiment, the host system 107 includes a read association module117. In an embodiment, the read association module 117 facilitatesassociating information decoded from one or more response signalsreceived by the RFID reader 103 with other available information. Forexample, in an embodiment, the read association module associates aproduct serial number or other information obtained from an RFID tagwith information about the product stored in a database as discussedabove. In an embodiment, the module associates information received froma response signal with a particular time or location. In an embodiment,the response signal is associated with the time the signal was received.In an embodiment, the response signal is associated with the location orthe RFID reader 103 or antenna 105 at the time the signal was received.In an embodiment, the position of the RFID reader 103 or antenna istriangulated from wireless transmissions of the RFID reader 103 orantenna 105. In an embodiment, information from two or more responsesignals is associated such as information from a product's RFID tag andinformation from a person's RFID buy card. In an embodiment, RFID tagIDs and/or other information encoded in the response signals are used toassociate the signals. In an embodiment, information from two or moreresponse signals received within a certain distance of each other orwithin a certain area is associated. The location of a response signalcan be determined in various ways as described above. In an embodiment,the order in which two or more response signals are received is used toassociate one or more signals with a time, location, each other, orother available information. In an embodiment, the rate at whichresponse signals are received from at least one tag is used to associatethe at least on tag with a time, location, each other, or otheravailable information. In an embodiment, information from two or moreresponse signals received within a certain time of each other or withina certain time period are associated. For example, as further discussedbelow, information from a plant or product RFID tag attached to a plantor product can be associated with information from an RFID tag attachedto a doorway when an object response signal is received from the plantor product RFID tag in close temporal proximity to a location responsesignal received from the RFID tag attached to the doorway. Thus,information regarding the plant or product can be associated withinformation regarding the location. Similarly, information about a plantcan be associated with information received from an RFID tag attached toa pot near the plant, or attached to other plants nearby. In anembodiment, the plant is associated with a pot when the plant ispositioned in the pot. In an embodiment, the plant is associated with apot when the plant is taken from the container. In an embodiment, readorder, read rate, and/or other information are used to differentiatesignals received from a plurality of RFID tags in the read field, beforean association is made. As is known in the art, the functions of theread association module 117 can be distributed in various ways. Forexample, all or part of the read association module can be stored and/orexecuted on the host system 107, the RFID reader 103, or another devicein communication with the RFID reader 103.

In a particular embodiment, the host system 107 incorporates an outputmodule 109 to present information to one or more users of the system101. The output module 109 can present such information using variousoutput devices such as visual displays, audio speakers, printers, orother output devices known in the art. This information may be utilizedto confirm correct processing or further direct processing of the taggeditems, among other applications. In further embodiments, the host systemalso incorporates an input module 111 which can utilize various inputdevices known in the art to facilitate interaction with stored data,writing information to RFID tags and/or RFID buy cards, and/or otherapplications.

As described above, in various embodiments of the subject invention, atleast a portion of the host system 107 is incorporated into the RFIDreader 103 itself or the RFID reader 103 communicates with the hostsystem via known wireless (e.g., Bluetooth) or wired (e.g., a coaxial orEthernet cable) communication methods. In a particular embodiment of theinvention, Bluetooth is used to communicate information between an RFIDreader and a host system and to minimize booting time. In such anembodiment, the Bluetooth unit stays on while the system is in use. Inaddition to Bluetooth, other communication methods can be used such asGSM/GPRS, Satellite, WIFI, Zigbee, or other wired or wirelesscommunication methods. The examples provided herein are merelyillustrative. Other communication methods are well known in the art andcan be used with the subject invention. The reader can also communicatewith a remote host system via, for example, the internet or othercommunication channel.

The host system 107 can be incorporated or removeably attached to awearable holder worn by the user of the reader same or a differentworker. The host system 107 can also be incorporated into a personal orother computer system such as a desktop or a laptop computer or server.

Authorization can be provided by an event recognition module 115, whichcan take in information received from an RFID buy card, as well as otherinformation, such as from a sensor 113 (e.g., iris scanner, fingerprint,signature reader, and/or scanner), and/or authorization can be providedby the host system 107.

In a further embodiment of the subject invention, the RFID system 101 isused for plant or product identification and the RFID reader or hostsystem incorporates other identification apparatus, such as a barcodescanner, to corroborate the radio frequency identification of readitems. Collected information may be presented and manipulated on a hostsystem as described above. For example, in an embodiment of theinvention, a user can correct inconsistent information received from aplurality of sources via the host system. Identification apparatus canbe incorporated into the body of the reader device or host system, orcommunicate through a wired or wireless connection. For example, abarcode scanner may be connected to the reader via a Universal SerialBus (USB) Port. Other peripheral devices may also be connected to theRFID reader or host system for operation, processing, storage, orpresentation. For example, other input and output devices such asprinters, speakers, microphones, keyboards, buttons, touch screens,among other devices, can be incorporated. Input and output modules 111and 109 may facilitate communication with such devices. Other storagemedia or devices may also be incorporated. A battery may be incorporatedinto the RFID reader, an antenna, or other part of the RFID system toprovide power to the RFID system. Alternatively, a battery or otherpower source may be connected to the RFID system using known methods.The examples provided herein are merely illustrative. Other peripheraldevices are well known in the art and can be used with the subjectinvention.

Embodiments of the subject invention may use one or more antennas orantenna arrays for transmitting and receiving magnetic orelectromagnetic signals. Such antennas can be incorporated into the samehousing as an RFID reader such as a rigid or flexible compartment.Antennas can also be connected to an RFID reader using a coaxial cableor other connection technology known in the art. Elastic straps may beused to hide a cable from the user and for safety and esthetic concerns.Instead of elastic straps, adjustable or plastic straps may be used. TheRFID reader or other system component may drive the antennas to produceor receive magnetic or electromagnetic signals at any number offrequencies including but not limited to LF, HF, UHF, and Microwavefrequencies. The signals sent or received may be encoded using anynumber of known modulation methods including but not limited to AM, SSB,FM, PM, SM, OOK, FSK, ASK, PSK, QAM, MSK, CPM, PPM, TCM, OFDM, FHSS, andDSSS. The examples provided herein are merely illustrative. Other signalpassing and encoding methods may be used with the subject invention.

Embodiments of the subject invention may utilize a variety of antennadesigns, including but not limited to patch and dipole antenna designs.The antennas can be flexible, semi-flexible, or rigid depending on thedielectric constant and thickness of the material employed. In oneembodiment, a semi-flexible antenna is used which can be bent and thenretains its shape.

The antennas can be linear polarized or circularly polarized. In oneembodiment, linear polarization is used to provide a more directionaland powerful signal when the orientation of the tag to be read can bepredicted.

Fractal Patch Antennas are known in the art, see I. Kim, T. Yoo, J.Yook, H. Park, “The Koch Island Fractal Patch Antenna” IEEE, Antennasand Propagation Society International Symposium, 2001 volume 2 pg:736-739, July 2001, and can be employed in embodiments of the subjectinvention. Fractal microstrip patch antennas use the space fillingproperties of fractal geometries on existing microstrip square patchantennas. By using fractal patterns, lower resonant frequencies can beachieved using the same patch size. This allows the same resonantfrequency to be produced using a smaller antenna footprint, thusenabling an antenna that can be workably positioned on various parts ofthe human body.

Various system settings or configurations can be used with a system,device, or method of the subject invention for the various applicationsand/or use-case scenarios. In an embodiment, a system, RFID reader, orother device of the subject invention can be configured for use invarious applications or use-case scenarios. For example, in anembodiment, components of the system can be positioned in differentlocations, orientations, or manners as discussed above. In anembodiment, different power output levels can be used with one or moreantennas as discussed above. In an embodiment, different types of RFIDtags can be interrogated. In an embodiment, a system, device, or methodof the subject invention supports interrogation of a plurality of RFIDtag types. In an embodiment, the plurality of RFID tag types includestags complying with UHF Class 0, Class-1 Generation-2, and Class-3standards. In an embodiment, the plurality of RFID tag types includestags complying with Class-1 Generation-2 and Class-3 standards. In anembodiment, the plurality of RFID tag types includes tags complying withUHF Class 0 and Class-1 Generation-2 standards. In an embodiment, theplurality of RFID tag types includes tags complying with UHF Class 0 andClass-3 standards. In an embodiment, the plurality of RFID tag typesincludes fully-passive tags and/or battery-assisted tags. In anembodiment, the plurality of RFID tag types includes dipole and/or dualdipole tags. In an embodiment, the plurality of RFID tag types includesmetal mount tags. In other embodiments, other classes or types of tagscan be interrogated. In an embodiment, different RF wavelengths can beused as discussed above. In an embodiment, multiple frequency bands,such as 13.56 MHz, 915 MHz, and/or 2.4 GHz, among other bands, can besupported at the same time. In an embodiment, different read triggeringschemes can be used, such as manual or automatic read triggering, asdiscussed above. In an embodiment, different information processingschemes can be used, such as processing of received RF signals by aninternal or external host, as discussed above.

In a further embodiment, a smart phone, or other electronic device, suchas a laptop, tablet, or watch, can utilize an app or other softwareapplication during transfer transactions instead of an RFID buy card orin conjunction with an RFID buy card. The electronic device, e.g., smartphone can incorporate a portion of or all of the logic taught in thesubject patent application as incorporated in embodiments of the subjectRFID buy card, and a QR code or a NFC code of the smart phone (or otherelectronic device) can be matched to an acquiring entity, such as aperson. The codes can be approved by the regulatory agency through theapp or other software by connecting the electronic device through theinternet, or other communication channel, at least once for theauthorization. In this embodiment, the teaching with respect to the RFIDbuy card tracking the transfer transaction through a number (e.g., aunique EPC number for the RFID buy card) and associating the ID of theacquiring entity, e.g., person, including an ID card and/or biometricdata also applies for embodiments utilizing such a smartphone, or otherelectronic device. Such an app can allow the amount of product that theperson is allowed to acquire in a certain time period to be shown to theperson via the smart phone, or other electronic device.

Embodiments

Embodiment 1. A method of tracking at least one plant, comprising:

-   -   putting at least one seed or at least one stem in a        corresponding at least one pot, wherein each pot of the at least        one pot contains soil and/or water;    -   positioning a corresponding at least one RFID tag with respect        to the at least one seed or the at least one stem in a manner        that each RFID tag of the at least one RFID tag is associated        with the corresponding seed or the corresponding stem;    -   after the at least one seed or at least one stem matures        transfers into a vegetative state to become at least one potted        plant, repotting the at least one potted plant;    -   if each RFID tag of the at least one RFID tag is not yet        attached to the corresponding potted plant of the at least one        potted plant, attaching the each RFID tag of the at least one        RFID tag to the corresponding potted plant of the at least one        potted plant;    -   after the at least one potted plant matures further, harvesting        the at least one potted plant to create a lot or batch of        harvested material;    -   packaging the harvested material into a packaged product;    -   attaching either:        -   (i) the at least one RFID tag from the at least one potted            plant, or        -   (ii) a product RFID tag that is associated with the            plurality of tags to the packaged product.

Embodiment 2. The method according to Embodiment 1,

-   -   wherein the at least one seed or at least one stem is a        plurality of seeds or a plurality of stems,    -   wherein the at least one pot is a plurality of pots,    -   wherein the at least one RFID tag is a plurality of RFID tags.

Embodiment 3. The method according to any of Embodiments 1-2,

-   -   wherein the plurality of seeds or the plurality of stems        comprises at least 100 seeds or at least 100 stems,        respectively.

Embodiment 4. The method according to any of Embodiments 2-3,

-   -   wherein positioning the plurality of RFID tags comprises        attaching each RFID tag of the plurality of RFID tags to the        corresponding pot of the plurality of pots.

Embodiment 5. The method according to any of Embodiments 2-4,

-   -   wherein positioning the plurality of RFID tags comprises        inserting each RFID tag of the plurality of RFID tags into the        soil and/or water of the corresponding pot of the plurality of        pots and orienting each RFID tag in a desired orientation.

Embodiment 6. The method according to any of Embodiments 2-4,

-   -   wherein positioning the plurality of RFID tags comprises        attaching each RFID tag of the plurality of RFID tags to the        corresponding pot of the plurality of pots or on the        corresponding pot of the plurality of pots.

Embodiment 7. The method according to any of Embodiments 2-6,

-   -   wherein the plurality of RFID tags are incorporated into a        corresponding plurality of RFID tag assemblies,    -   wherein each RFID tag assembly of the plurality of RFID tag        assemblies comprises:    -   a strap, wherein the strap comprises:        -   a strap body having a strap body proximal end and a strap            body distal end;        -   a first strap connecting portion attached to the strap body            proximate to the strap body distal end; and        -   a second strap connecting portion attached to the strap body            proximate to the strap body proximal end,        -   wherein the first strap connecting portion and the second            strap connecting portion are configured such that when the            first strap connecting portion is connected to the second            strap connecting portion in a locked position, the first            strap connecting portion and second strap connecting portion            are in locked connection such that the strap body distal end            is in locked connection with the strap body proximal end;            and    -   an RFID label, wherein the RFID label comprises:        -   an RFID label body having an RFID label body proximal end            and an RFID label body distal end;        -   an RFID circuit, wherein the RFID circuit is attached to the            RFID label body;        -   an RFID antenna, wherein the RFID antenna is connected to            the RFID circuit, wherein the RFID antenna is attached to            the RFID label body,        -   wherein the RFID label and the strap are configured to:        -   (i) interconnect in a first configuration, such that when            the first strap connecting portion and the second strap            connecting portion are in locked connection, the RFID label            does not separate from the strap and an orientation of the            RFID label is dependent on an orientation of the strap, and        -   (ii) interconnect in a second configuration, such that when            the first strap connecting portion and the second strap            connecting portion are in locked connection the RFID label            does not separate from the strap and the orientation of the            RFID label is adjustable independently from the orientation            of the strap.

Embodiment 8. The method according to any of Embodiments 2-7, furthercomprising:

-   -   associating the plurality of seeds or the plurality of stems        with the plurality of RFID tags; and    -   providing information from the plurality of RFID tags or the        product RFID tag attached to the packaged product to a        regulatory agency.

Embodiment 9. The method according to any of Embodiments 2-8,

-   -   wherein the plurality of potted plants are a plurality of potted        marijuana plants.

Embodiment 10. The method according to any of Embodiments 7-9, whereinpositioning the plurality of RFID tags comprises when the strap body ofeach RFID tag is in the strap body equilibrium position, inserting thestrap body of each RFID tag of the plurality of RFID tags into the soilof the corresponding pot of the plurality of pots and orienting eachRFID tag in the desired orientation.

Embodiment 11. The method according to Embodiment 10,

-   -   wherein if the each RFID tag of the plurality of RFID tags is        not yet attached to the corresponding potted plant of the        plurality of potted plants, attaching the each RFID tag of the        plurality of RFID tags to the corresponding potted plant of the        plurality of potted plants comprises for each corresponding        strap of the corresponding strap assembly, connecting the first        strap connecting portion to the second strap connecting portion        in the locked position such that in order to remove the RFID        strap assembly from the corresponding potted plant, either (i)        the strap must be unlocked, or (ii) the potted plant must be        damaged.

Embodiment 12. The method according to any of Embodiments 2-11, whereineach RFID tag of the plurality of RFID tags comprises:

-   -   dynamic data elements,    -   wherein the dynamic data elements comprise one or more of the        following:        -   tag TID value;        -   OPC Name;        -   OPC License No.;        -   Order Date and Day Batch No. for the RFID tag; and        -   RFID tag Electronic Product Code (EPC).

Embodiment 13. The method according to Embodiment 12, wherein an EPCformat of the RFID tag Electronic Product Code is in a form of 24 hexcharacters, wherein each hex character of the 24 hex characters can haveone of 16 values.

Embodiment 14. The method according to Embodiment 13,

-   -   wherein the 24 hex characters are formatted as follows:    -   FFF FF FF FFFFFFF FFFFFFFFFF,    -   wherein each hex character of the 24 hex characters can have a        value selected from the following:    -   0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, A, B, C, D, E, and F.

Embodiment 15. The method according to any of Embodiments 13-14,

-   -   wherein the 24 hex characters are as follows:    -   a first number of hex characters represent a header;    -   a second number of hex characters represent an install ID;    -   a third number of hex characters represent a tag version;    -   a fourth number of hex characters represent a license no.; and    -   a fifth number of hex characters represent a serial no.,    -   wherein the first number plus the second number plus the third        number plus the fourth number plus the fifth number equals 24.

Embodiment 16. The method according to Embodiment 15,

-   -   wherein the first number is 3, such that the header uses 3 hex        characters, wherein the second number is 2, such that the        install ID uses 2 hex characters, wherein the third number is 2,        such that the tag version uses 2 hex characters, wherein the        fourth number is 7, such that the license no. uses 7 hex        characters, wherein the fifth number is 10, such that the serial        no. uses 10 hex characters.

Embodiment 17. The method according to any of Embodiments 15-16,

-   -   wherein the header provides a tag identifier of a plurality of        tag identifiers, wherein a first tag identifier of the plurality        of tag identifiers allows the RFID tag to be filtered        immediately.

Embodiment 18. The method according to any of Embodiments 15-16,

-   -   wherein the tag version defines an electronic produce code        format for a portion of the Electronic Product Code not        including the header and the install ID, such that the tag        version is specific to the Install ID,    -   wherein the tag version is determined based on the generator of        the plurality of Electronic Product Code generators generating        the Electronic Product Code,    -   wherein the tag version defines a product type of the RFID tag.

Embodiment 19. The method according to any of Embodiments 15-18,

wherein the license no. defines a facility license no. where a productwas created.

Embodiment 20. The method according to any of Embodiments 15-19,

wherein the install ID identifies an Electronic Product Code generatorof a plurality of Electronic Product Code generators, wherein theinstall ID has a maximum value of FF, wherein a value of the install IDis determined based on the Electronic Product Code generator of theplurality of Electronic Product Code generators that the ElectronicProduct Code.

Embodiment 21. An RFID tag, comprising:

-   -   dynamic data elements,    -   wherein the dynamic data elements comprise one or more of the        following:        -   tag TID value;        -   OPC Name;        -   OPC License No.;        -   Order Date and Day Batch No. for the RFID tag; and        -   RFID tag Electronic Product Code (EPC).

Embodiment 22. The RFID tag according to Embodiment 21,

-   -   wherein an EPC format of the RFID tag Electronic Product Code is        in a form of 24 hex characters.

Embodiment 23. The RFID tag according to Embodiment 22,

-   -   wherein the 24 hex characters are formatted as follows:    -   FFF FF FF FFFFFFF FFFFFFFFFF,    -   wherein each hex character of the 24 hex characters can have a        value selected from the following:    -   0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, A, B, C, D, E, and F.

Embodiment 24. The RFID tag according to any of Embodiments 22-23,

-   -   wherein the 24 hex characters are as follows:    -   a first number of hex characters represent a header;    -   a second number of hex characters represent an install ID;    -   a third number of hex characters represent a tag version;    -   a fourth number of hex characters represent a license no.; and    -   a fifth number of hex characters represent a serial no.,    -   wherein the first number plus the second number plus the third        number plus the fourth number plus the fifth number equals 24.

Embodiment 25. The RFID tag according to Embodiment 24,

-   -   wherein the first number is 3, such that the header uses 3 hex        characters, wherein the second number is 2, such that the        install ID uses 2 hex characters, wherein the third number is 2,        such that the tag version uses 2 hex characters, wherein the        fourth number is 7, such that the license no. uses 7 hex        characters, wherein the fifth number is 10, such that the serial        no. uses 10 hex characters.

Embodiment 26. The RFID tag according to any of Embodiments 24-25,

-   -   wherein the header provides a tag identifier of a plurality of        tag identifiers, wherein a first tag identifier of the plurality        of tag identifiers allows the RFID tag to be filtered        immediately.

Embodiment 27. The RFID tag according to any of Embodiments 24-26,

-   -   wherein the install ID identifies an Electronic Product Code        generator of a plurality of Electronic Product Code generators,        wherein a value of the install ID is determined based on the        Electronic Product Code generator of the plurality of Electronic        Product Code generators that the Electronic Product Code.

Embodiment 28. The RFID tag according to Embodiment 27, wherein theplurality of Electronic Product Code generators are a plurality ofregulatory agency entities.

Embodiment 29. The RFID tag according to Embodiment 27,

-   -   wherein the plurality of Electronic Product Code generators are        a plurality of Metro installations.

Embodiment 30. The RFID tag according to Embodiment 22,

-   -   wherein each hex character of the 24 hex characters can have one        of 16 values.

Embodiment 31. The RFID tag according to Embodiment 24,

-   -   wherein the tag version defines an electronic produce code        format for a portion of the Electronic Product Code not        including the header and the install ID, such that the tag        version is specific to the Install ID,    -   wherein a value of the tag version is determined based on the        generator of the plurality of Electronic Product Code generators        generating the Electronic Product Code,    -   wherein the tag version defines a product type of the RFID tag.

Embodiment 32. The RFID tag according to Embodiment 24,

-   -   wherein the license no. defines a facility license no. where a        product was created.

Embodiment 33. The RFID tag according to Embodiment 24,

-   -   wherein the serial no. results in the RPC being globally unique.

Embodiment 34. The RFID tag according to Embodiment 24,

-   -   wherein the header has a maximum value of FFF, wherein the        header has a fixed value of 1A4,    -   wherein the install ID has a maximum value of FF, wherein a        value of the install ID starts at 0,    -   wherein the tag version has a maximum value of FF, wherein a        value of the tag version starts at 0,    -   wherein the serial no. has a maximum value of FFFFFFFFFF,    -   wherein a value of the serial no. starts at 0 per tag version.

Embodiment 35. A system, comprising:

-   -   a processor;    -   a storage element;    -   wherein the storage element stores information regarding at        least one metric with respect to each product of one or more        products that are authorized to be transferred to a        corresponding at least one acquiring entity of a plurality of        acquiring entities; and    -   a computer readable medium containing instructions that when        executed by the processor cause the processor to:        -   receive from a transferring entity:        -   ID information specific to an RFID buy card of a plurality            of RFID buy cards, and        -   a request for authorization to transfer at least one product            of the one or more products to an acquiring entity            associated with the RFID buy card that the ID information            was specific to, and        -   confirm the requested transfer is within a corresponding            metric of the at least one metric with respect to the at            least one product that is authorized to be transferred to            the acquiring entity,        -   provide the transferring entity an authorization to transfer            the at least one product to the acquiring entity associated            with the RFID buy card that the ID information was specific            to.

Embodiment 36. The system according to Embodiment 35, furthercomprising:

-   -   the plurality of RFID buy cards,    -   wherein each RFID buy card is associated with an acquiring        entity of a corresponding plurality of acquiring entities,    -   wherein each RFID buy card comprises:        -   a card body;        -   an RFID circuit, wherein the RFID circuit stores ID            information specific to the RFID buy card; and        -   an RFID antenna.

Embodiment 37. The system according to any of Embodiments 35-36,

-   -   wherein execution of the instructions by the processor further        causes the processor to:        -   update the information stored in the storage element based            on the authorization provided to the transferring entity.

Embodiment 38. The system according to any of Embodiments 35-37,

-   -   wherein execution of the instructions by the processor further        causes the processor to:        -   report the authorization provided to the transferring entity            to a regulatory entity.

Embodiment 39

The system according to any of Embodiments 35-38,

-   -   wherein execution of the instructions by the processor further        causes the processor to:        -   receive product RFID tag information provided from the            transferring entity with the request,        -   wherein the product RFID tag information was acquired from a            product RFID tag attached to a package product to be            transferred to the acquiring entity; and        -   report the product RFID tag information to a regulatory            entity.

Embodiment 40. The system according to any of Embodiments 37-39, furthercomprising:

-   -   a plurality of product RFID tags,    -   wherein each product RFID tag of the plurality of product RFID        tags comprises:    -   dynamic data elements,    -   wherein the dynamic data elements comprise one or more of the        following:        -   tag TID value;        -   OPC Name;        -   OPC License No.;        -   Order Date and Day Batch No. for the RFID tag; and        -   RFID tag Electronic Product Code (EPC).

Embodiment 41. An RFID tag assembly, comprising:

-   -   a strap, wherein the strap comprises:        -   a strap body having a strap body proximal end and a strap            body distal end;        -   a first strap connecting portion attached to the strap body            proximate to the strap body distal end; and        -   a second strap connecting portion attached to the strap body            proximate to the strap body proximal end,        -   wherein the first strap connecting portion and the second            strap connecting portion are configured such that when the            first strap connecting portion is connected to the second            strap connecting portion in a locked position, the first            strap connecting portion and second strap connecting portion            are in locked connection such that the strap body distal end            is in locked connection with the strap body proximal end;            and    -   an RFID label, wherein the RFID label comprises:        -   an RFID label body having an RFID label body proximal end            and an RFID label body distal end;        -   an RFID circuit, wherein the RFID circuit is attached to the            RFID label body;        -   an RFID antenna, wherein the RFID antenna is connected to            the RFID circuit, wherein the RFID antenna is attached to            the RFID label body,        -   wherein the RFID label and the strap are configured to:        -   (i) interconnect in a first configuration, such that when            the first strap connecting portion and the second strap            connecting portion are in locked connection, the RFID label            does not separate from the strap and an orientation of the            RFID label is dependent on an orientation of the strap, and        -   (ii) interconnect in a second configuration, such that when            the first strap connecting portion and the second strap            connecting portion are in locked connection the RFID label            does not separate from the strap and the orientation of the            RFID label is adjustable independently from the orientation            of the strap.

Embodiment 42. The RFID tag assembly according to Embodiment 41,

-   -   wherein when the first strap connecting portion is not connected        to the second strap connecting portion, the strap body is in an        equilibrium strap position,    -   wherein the RFID label and the strap are configured to        interconnect in the first configuration, such that when the        first strap connecting portion is not connected to the second        strap connecting portion in the locked position and the strap        body is in the equilibrium strap position, the orientation of        the RFID label is dependent on the orientation of the strap.

Embodiment 43. The RFID tag assembly according to any of Embodiments41-42,

-   -   wherein the first strap connecting portion and the second strap        connecting portion are configured such that when the first strap        connecting portion and the second strap connecting portion are        in locked connection the first strap connecting portion is        releasable from the second strap connecting portion.

Embodiment 44. The RFID tag assembly according to any of Embodiments41-43,

-   -   wherein the first strap connecting portion and second strap        connecting portion are configured such that when the first strap        connecting portion and second strap connecting portion are in        locked connection the first strap connecting portion is        releasable from the second strap connecting portion via a tool.

Embodiment 45. The RFID tag assembly according to any of Embodiments41-43,

-   -   wherein the first strap connecting portion comprises a release        mechanism, wherein the first strap connecting portion and second        strap connecting portion are configured such that when the first        strap connecting portion and second strap connecting portion are        in locked connection the first strap connecting portion is        releasable from the second strap connecting portion via        engagement of the release mechanism.

Embodiment 46. The RFID tag assembly according to any of Embodiments41-45, wherein the first strap connecting portion is a strap insertionportion and the second strap connecting portion is a strap receivingportion, wherein the strap insertion portion is connected with the strapreceiving portion in the locked position when the strap insertionportion is inserted into the strap receiving portion until reaching thelocked position.

Embodiment 47. The RFID tag assembly according to any of Embodiments41-45, wherein the first strap connecting portion is a strap receivingportion and the second strap connecting portion is a strap insertionportion, wherein the strap receiving portion is connected with the strapinsertion portion in the locked position when the strap receivingportion is inserted into the strap insertion portion until reaching thelocked position.

Embodiment 48. The RFID tag assembly according to any of Embodiments41-42,

-   -   wherein the first strap connecting portion and the second strap        connecting portion are configured such that when the first strap        connecting portion and the second strap connecting portion are        in locked connection a portion of the strap must be removed to        unlock the strap.

Embodiment 49. The RFID tag assembly according to Embodiment 48,

-   -   wherein the first strap connecting portion or the second strap        connecting portion comprise a plurality of knots, wherein the        first strap connecting portion and the second strap connecting        portion are configured such that when the first strap connecting        portion and the second strap connecting portion are in locked        connection at least one knot of the plurality of knots must be        removed to unlock the strap.

Embodiment 50. The RFID tag assembly according to any of Embodiments43-47,

-   -   wherein the RFID tag assembly can be reused after being        released.

Embodiment 51. A method of controlling a transfer of one or moreproducts, comprising: providing a plurality of RFID buy cards,

-   -   wherein each RFID buy card is associated with an acquiring        entity of a corresponding plurality of acquiring entities,    -   wherein each RFID buy card comprises:        -   a card body;        -   an RFID circuit, wherein the RFID circuit stores ID            information specific to the RFID buy card; and        -   an RFID antenna,    -   providing an authorizing stem wherein the authorizing system        comprises:    -   a processor;    -   a storage element,    -   wherein the storage element stores information regarding at        least one metric with respect to each product of one or more        products that are authorized to be transferred to at least one        acquiring entity of the plurality of acquiring entities; and    -   upon the authorizing system receiving from a transferring entity        ID information specific to an RFID buy card of the plurality of        RFID buy cards and a request for authorization transfer to at        least one product of the one or more products to the acquiring        entity associated with the RFID buy card that the ID information        is specific to, and the authorizing system confirming the        requested transfer is within the corresponding at least one        metric with respect to the at least one product, providing the        transferring entity an authorization via the authorizing system        to transfer the at least one product of the one or more products        to an acquiring entity of the plurality of acquiring entities        associated with the RFID buy card, upon the transferring entity        obtaining via an RFID reader the ID information specific to the        RFID buy card from the RFID buy card and providing the ID        information specific to the RFID buy card to the authorizing        system along with a request for authorization transfer to at        least one product of the one or more products to the acquiring        entity associated with the RFID buy card that the ID information        is specific to.

Embodiment 52. The method according to Embodiment 51,

-   -   wherein the plurality of acquiring entities is a plurality of        persons.

Embodiment 53. The method according to any of Embodiments 51-52,

-   -   wherein the transfer is a sale,    -   wherein the product is a plant based product,    -   wherein the transferring entity is one of a plurality of        transferring entities, wherein the transferring entity provides        a transferring ID associated with the transferring entity to the        authorizing system with the request for authorization of the        sale.

Embodiment 54. The method according to any of Embodiments 51-53,

-   -   wherein the ID information comprises biometric data.

Embodiment 55. The method according to any of Embodiments 51-54,

-   -   wherein the ID information comprises one or more of the        following:    -   fingerprint and iris scan.

Embodiment 56. The method according to any of Embodiments 51-55,

-   -   wherein one or more RFID buy cards of the plurality of RFID buy        cards are one or more battery assisted RFID buy cards.

Embodiment 57. The method according to any of Embodiments 51-56,

-   -   wherein the one or more RFID buy cards comprise a display,        wherein the display displays an amount of a product a        corresponding acquiring entity can acquire within a certain time        frame.

Embodiment 58. The method according to Embodiment 57,

-   -   wherein the display is activated via a button on the RFID buy        card.

Embodiment 59. The method according to any of Embodiments 51-58,

-   -   wherein the corresponding acquirer enters a password on the RFID        card prior to the transfer.

Embodiment 60. The method according to any of Embodiments 51-59,

-   -   wherein the one or more RFID buy cards comprise the following:    -   a memory unit, a clock, a RF communication unit.

Embodiment 61. The method according to Embodiment 1, further comprising:

-   -   after the at least one seed or at least one stem matures        transfers into a vegetative state to become at least one potted        plant, repotting the at least one potted plant.

Embodiment 62. The method according to Embodiment 1, wherein afterharvesting and before packaging, further comprising drying and curingthe harvested material.

Embodiment 63. The method according to Embodiment 7,

-   -   wherein when the first strap connecting portion is not connected        to the second strap connecting portion, the strap body is in an        equilibrium strap position,    -   wherein the RFID label and the strap are configured to        interconnect in the first configuration, such that when the        first strap connecting portion is not connected to the second        strap connecting portion in the locked position and the strap        body is in the equilibrium strap position, the orientation of        the RFID label is dependent on the orientation of the strap.

Embodiment 64. The method according to Embodiment 63,

-   -   wherein the first strap connecting portion and the second strap        connecting portion are configured such that when the first strap        connecting portion and the second strap connecting portion are        in locked connection the first strap connecting portion is        releasable from the second strap connecting portion.

Embodiment 65. The method according to Embodiment 64,

-   -   wherein the first strap connecting portion and second strap        connecting portion are configured such that when the first strap        connecting portion and second strap connecting portion are in        locked connection the first strap connecting portion is        releasable from the second strap connecting portion via a tool.

Embodiment 66. The method according to Embodiment 64,

-   -   wherein the first strap connecting portion comprises a release        mechanism, wherein the first strap connecting portion and second        strap connecting portion are configured such that when the first        strap connecting portion and second strap connecting portion are        in locked connection the first strap connecting portion is        releasable from the second strap connecting portion via        engagement of the release mechanism.

Embodiment 67. The method according to Embodiment 63, wherein the firststrap connecting portion is a strap insertion portion and the secondstrap connecting portion is a strap receiving portion, wherein the strapinsertion portion is connected with the strap receiving portion in thelocked position when the strap insertion portion is inserted into thestrap receiving portion until reaching the locked position.

Embodiment 68. The method according to Embodiment 63, wherein the firststrap connecting portion is a strap receiving portion and the secondstrap connecting portion is a strap insertion portion, wherein the strapreceiving portion is connected with the strap insertion portion in thelocked position when the strap receiving portion is inserted into thestrap insertion portion until reaching the locked position.

Embodiment 69. The method according to Embodiment 63,

-   -   wherein the first strap connecting portion and the second strap        connecting portion are configured such that when the first strap        connecting portion and the second strap connecting portion are        in locked connection a portion of the strap must be removed to        unlock the strap.

Embodiment 70. The method according to Embodiment 69,

-   -   wherein the first strap connecting portion or the second strap        connecting portion comprise a plurality of knots, wherein the        first strap connecting portion and the second strap connecting        portion are configured such that when the first strap connecting        portion and the second strap connecting portion are in locked        connection at least one knot of the plurality of knots must be        removed to unlock the strap.

Embodiment 71. The method according to Embodiment 64,

-   -   wherein the RFID tag assembly can be reused after being        released.

Embodiment 72. The method according to Embodiment 7, wherein the RFIDcircuit and RFID antenna are positioned between layers that arewaterproof and UV resistant.

Embodiment 73. The system according to Embodiment 35, wherein the atleast one metric comprises an amount of the at least one product.

Embodiment 74. The system according to Embodiment 35, wherein the atleast one metric comprises one or more time periods the acquiring entityis allowed to acquire the one or more products.

Embodiment 75. The system according to Embodiment 35, wherein the atleast one metric comprises ID information specific to each RFID buycard.

Embodiment 76. The system according to Embodiment 35, wherein therequest comprises an amount of the at least one product of the one ormore products the transferring entity is requesting authorization totransfer to the acquiring entity.

Aspects of the invention, such as controlling RFID readers, receivingand processing RFID signals, receiving and storing data regarding lifecycles of plants, storing data regarding sales and/or distribution ofproduct, may be described in the general context of computer-executableinstructions, such as program modules, being executed by a computer.Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects,components, data structures, etc., that perform particular tasks orimplement particular abstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in theart will appreciate that the invention may be practiced with a varietyof computer-system configurations, including multiprocessor systems,microprocessor-based or programmable-consumer electronics,minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like. Any number ofcomputer-systems and computer networks are acceptable for use with thepresent invention.

Specific hardware devices, programming languages, components, processes,protocols, and numerous details including operating environments and thelike are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the presentinvention. In other instances, structures, devices, and processes areshown in block-diagram form, rather than in detail, to avoid obscuringthe present invention. But an ordinary-skilled artisan would understandthat the present invention may be practiced without these specificdetails. Computer systems, servers, work stations, and other machinesmay be connected to one another across a communication medium including,for example, a network or networks.

As one skilled in the art will appreciate, embodiments of the presentinvention may be embodied as, among other things: a method, system, orcomputer-program product. Accordingly, the embodiments may take the formof a hardware embodiment, a software embodiment, or an embodimentcombining software and hardware. In an embodiment, the present inventiontakes the form of a computer-program product that includescomputer-useable instructions embodied on one or more computer-readablemedia.

Computer-readable media include both volatile and nonvolatile media,transitory and non-transitory, transient and non-transient media,removable and nonremovable media, and contemplate media readable by adatabase, a switch, and various other network devices. By way ofexample, and not limitation, computer-readable media comprise mediaimplemented in any method or technology for storing information.Examples of stored information include computer-useable instructions,data structures, program modules, and other data representations. Mediaexamples include, but are not limited to, information-delivery media,RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM,digital versatile disks (DVD), holographic media or other optical diskstorage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage, andother magnetic storage devices. These technologies can store datamomentarily, temporarily, or permanently.

The invention may be practiced in distributed-computing environmentswhere tasks are performed by remote-processing devices that are linkedthrough a communications network. In a distributed-computingenvironment, program modules may be located in both local and remotecomputer-storage media including memory storage devices. Thecomputer-useable instructions form an interface to allow a computer toreact according to a source of input. The instructions cooperate withother code segments to initiate a variety of tasks in response to datareceived in conjunction with the source of the received data.

The present invention may be practiced in a network environment such asa communications network. Such networks are widely used to connectvarious types of network elements, such as routers, servers, gateways,and so forth. Further, the invention may be practiced in a multi-networkenvironment having various, connected public and/or private networks.

Communication between network elements may be wireless or wireline(wired). As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art,communication networks may take several different forms and may useseveral different communication protocols. And the present invention isnot limited by the forms and communication protocols described herein.

All patents, patent applications, provisional applications, andpublications referred to or cited herein are incorporated by referencein their entirety, including all figures and tables, to the extent theyare not inconsistent with the explicit teachings of this specification.

It should be understood that the examples and embodiments describedherein are for illustrative purposes only and that various modificationsor changes in light thereof will be suggested to persons skilled in theart and are to be included within the spirit and purview of thisapplication.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A system, comprising: a plurality of RFIDbuy cards, wherein each RFID buy card of the plurality of RFID buy cardsis associated with a corresponding acquiring entity of a correspondingplurality of acquiring entities, and wherein each RFID buy card of theplurality of RFID buy cards comprises: a card body; an RFID circuit;wherein the RFID circuit stores ID information specific to the RFID buycard, wherein the ID information comprises stored biometric dataobtained from the acquiring entity associated with the RFID buy card;and an RFID antenna; a processor; a storage element, wherein the storageelement stores information regarding at least one metric with respect toeach product of one or more products that are authorized to betransferred to at least one acquiring entity of a plurality of acquiringentities; and a non-transitory computer readable medium containinginstructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to:receive from a transferring entity: ID information specific to either:(i) an RFID buy card of the plurality of RFID buy cards; or (ii) asmartphone or other electronic device, obtained biometric data obtainedby the transferring entity from the acquiring entity associated with theRFID buy card of the plurality of RFID buy cards or associated with thesmartphone or other electronic device, where the acquiring is a person;and a request for authorization to transfer at least one product of theone or more products to an acquiring entity associated with the RFID buycard of the plurality of RED buy cards, or associated with thesmartphone or other electronic device, that the ID information wasspecific to; and confirm the requested transfer is within acorresponding metric of the at least one metric with respect to the atleast one product that is authorized to be transferred to the acquiringentity associated with the RFID buy card of the plurality of the RFIDbuy cards, or associated with the smartphone or other electronic device,that the ID information was specific to; and provide the transferringentity an authorization to transfer the at least one product to theacquiring entity associated with the RFID buy card of the plurality ofthe RFID buy cards, or associated with the smartphone or otherelectronic device, that the ID information was specific to.
 2. Thesystem according to claim 1, wherein execution of the instructions bythe processor further causes the processor to: update the informationstored in the storage element based on the authorization provided to thetransferring entity.
 3. The system according to claim 1, whereinexecution of the instructions by the processor further causes theprocessor to: report the authorization provided to the transferringentity to a regulatory entity.
 4. The system according to claim 1,wherein execution of the instructions by the processor further causesthe processor to: receive product RFID tag information provided from thetransferring entity with the request, wherein the product RFID taginformation was acquired from a product RFID tag attached to a packageproduct to be transferred to the acquiring entity; and report theproduct RFID tag information to a regulatory entity.
 5. The systemaccording to claim 4, further comprising: a plurality of product RFIDtags, wherein each product RFID tag of the plurality of product RFIDtags comprises: dynamic data elements, wherein the dynamic data elementscomprise one or more of the following: tag TID value; OPCName; OPCLicense No.; Order Date and Day Batch No. for the RFID tag; and RFID tagElectronic Product Code (EPC).
 6. The system according to claim 1,wherein the ID information comprises a fingerprint of the correspondingacquirer of the plurality of acquirers.
 7. The system according to claim1, wherein the ID information comprises an iris scan of thecorresponding acquirer of the plurality of acquirers.
 8. A method ofcontrolling a transfer of one or more products, comprising: providing aplurality of RFID buy cards, wherein each RFID buy card of the pluralityof RFID buy cards is associated with a corresponding acquiring entity ofa corresponding plurality of acquiring entities, and wherein each RFIDbuy card comprises: a card body; an RFID circuit, wherein the RFIDcircuit stores ID information specific to the RFID buy card, wherein IDinformation specific to the RFID buy card comprises stored biometricdata obtained from the acquiring entity associated with the RFID buycard; and an RFID antenna; providing an authorizing system; wherein theauthorizing system comprises: a processor; and a storage element,wherein the storage element stores information regarding at least onemetric with respect to each product of one or more products that areauthorized to be transferred to at least one acquiring entity of theplurality of acquiring entities; and upon: the authorizing systemreceiving from a transferring entity ID information specific to an RFIDbuy card of the plurality of RFID buy cards, obtained biometric dataobtained by the transferring entity from the acquiring entity associatedwith the RFID buy card of the plurality of RFID buy cards or associatedwith the smartphone or other electronic device, where the acquiring is aperson; and a request for authorization transfer to at least one productof the one or more products to the acquiring entity associated with theRFID buy card that the ID information is specific to, and theauthorizing system confirming the requested transfer is within thecorresponding at least one metric with respect to the at least oneproduct, providing the transferring entity an authorization via theauthorizing system to transfer the at least one product of the one ormore products to an acquiring entity of the plurality of acquiringentities associated with the RFID buy card, upon the transferringentity; obtaining via an RFID reader the ID information specific to theRFID buy card from the RFID buy card; and providing the ID informationspecific to the RFID buy card to the authorizing system along with arequest for authorization transfer to at least one product of the one ormore products to the acquiring entity associated with the RFID buy cardthat the ID information is specific to.
 9. The method according to claim8, wherein the plurality of acquiring entities is a plurality ofpersons.
 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the transfer is asale, wherein the product is a plant based product, wherein thetransferring entity is one of a plurality of transferring entities, andwherein the transferring entity provides a transferring ID associatedwith the transferring entity to the authorizing system with the requestfor authorization of the sale.
 11. The method according to claim 8,wherein the ID information comprises biometric data.
 12. The methodaccording to claim 8, wherein the ID information comprises a fingerprintof the corresponding acquirer of the plurality of acquirers.
 13. Themethod according to claim 8, wherein the ID information comprises aniris scan of the corresponding acquirer of the plurality of acquirers.14. The method according to claim 8, wherein one or more RFID buy cardsof the plurality of RFID buy cards are one or more battery assisted RFIDbuy cards.
 15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the one or moreRFID buy cards of the plurality of RFID buy cards comprise acorresponding plurality of displays, and wherein each display of theplurality of displays an amount of a product a corresponding acquiringentity can acquire within a certain time frame.
 16. The method accordingto claim 15, wherein the display of the plurality of displays isactivated via a button on the corresponding RFID buy card of theplurality of RFID buy cards.
 17. The method according to claim 15,wherein the corresponding acquirer enters a password on the RFID buycard prior to the transfer.
 18. The method according to claim 14,wherein each RFID buy card of the one or more RFID buy cards of theplurality of RFID buy cards comprise the following: a memory unit; aclock; and a RF communication unit.